Foundation garment



April 19, 1966 1.. KRIEGER FOUNDATION GARMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 15, 1963 FIG.2

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r we N E W K L y r r O l- BY z V x ATTORNEY FIG April 19, 1966 1.. L. KRIEGER FOUNDATION GARMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 1', 1963 FlG.5.

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INVENTOR Larry L. Krieger BY 22 fi ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,246,649 v FQIJNDATKUN GARMENT Larry L Krieger, Wilmington, DeL, assignor to International Latex Corporation, Dover, DeL, a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 13, 1963, Ser. No. 258,296 8 Claims. (Cl. 128--52-8) This invention relates to foundation garments which have leg-receiving portions and an intermediate covered crotch area. In particular, the invention provides a crotch construction in a foundation garment of the panty girdle type in which the crotch is normally closed when on the body of the wearer, but is openable to permit performance of natural functions without the necessity of removing the garment from the torso.

Foundation garments such as panty girdles, corselets and all-in-ones (brassieregirdle combinations) have legencircling extensions dependent from the body portion of the garment and closed or covered crotch areas. Such garments may be preferred for many reasons to girdles and other foundation garments which are completely open at the bottom. However, such garments must be pulled down off the torso for performing natural functions when, as in the usual case, the crotch is permanently closed. This removal of the garment and subsequent raising and repositioning on the body is one of the main drawbacks of panty girdles and is an unnecessary annoyance.

Recognition of this drawback has led to a number of suggested constructions providing cover and protection in the crotch which also permit the crotch to be opened for the performance of natural functions without removal of the garment. The proposed constructions of which I am aware are all characterized by certain disadvantages. For example, the most common type of split crotch construction has two panels secured in the crotch area and covering the upper inner thighs and crotch region. The panels have overlapping free edges in the crotch region and these edges must both be separated and the panels drawn back to create a crotch opening. However, the extent of overlap required to maintain the crotch in normally closed condition makes the crotch ill-fitting due to the bulkiness of the excessive material in the overlap area and requires the use of both hands to hold the panels apart to provide an opening for performance of natural functions. Such constructions may be symmetrical where the overlap is about equally divided with respect to the vertical center line of the crotch area or may be of the unsymmetrical or off-center type. Where the overlapping free edges of the two crotch covering panels are disposed off-center, an opening may be created by pulling the longer panel away with one hand. However, adequate overlap in any of these two-piece inner thigh and crotch cover ing constructions necessarily restricts the area of the opening, and inadequate overlap results in insufiicient protection due to accidental opening during body movements. In still other split crotch constructions flaps are provided requiring multiple fastening means which necessitate unfastening and refastening with both hands for each use.

It is the principal purpose and advantage of this invention to provide an improved normally closed openable crotch construction for foundation garments of the aforesaid type which has a permanent opening provided with a centrally disposed overlying resiliently stretchable panel covering the opening. The cover is displaceable by pulling it aside with one hand either to the right or left to expose the permanent opening of adequate size in the crotch area. Such a construction eliminates bulkiness, since the inner thigh-engaging portions of the crotch do not have to overlap each other. On the contrary their free edges are separated and define the permanent open- "ice ing in the crotch area. This opening is in turn covered by a separate overlying central crotch panel displaceable to either side to expose the opening. This construction permits the inner thigh-engaging portions to be designed to give a much more comfortable fit and at the same time insures complete covering of the crotch area and ease of opening by mere displacement of the central overlying crotch panel with one hand.

In general the crotch construction of the invention is defined as follows:

The foundation garment has leg-encircling extensions which are dependent from the body of the garment and is provided with an intermediate cutaway crotch area. The leg-encircling extensions include inner thigh-covering portions which terminate in inner free edges defining a permanent crotch opening extending generally from the front to the rear of the crotch area. For covering this permanent crotch opening, a displaceable overlying centrally positioned crotch panel is suspended from the upper front and rear of the body of the garment at the apex of the crotch cutaway area. The crotch panel extends from the front to rear of the crotch as an open-sided loop which completely covers the opening formed by the separated free upper edges of the inner thigh-covering portions. The overlying crotch panel has free side edges disposed in overlapping and unconnected relation to the inner thigh-covering portions adjacent the upper free edges thereof and the panel is displaceable to expose the permanent crotch opening merely by pulling it to either side.

The invention is described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate complete specific embodiments of the invention, but which are not to be construed as limiting the scope thereof in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front view of a panty girdle embodying the crotch construction of the invention with the crotch in normally closed position;

FIGURE 2 is a rear view of a garment shown in FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged front view of the crotch area of the garment with the legs spread slightly apart and with the overlying central panel partially broken away to show the opening defined by the upper free edges of the inner thigh-covering portion of the legs of the garment;

FIGURE 4 is a view of the preferred single integral inner thigh-covering piece and crotch panel of which the embodiment shown in FIGURE 3 is constructed;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged front view of a modification of the crotch construction of the invention in which the crotch is composed of three pieces with the overlying center crotch panel partially broken away to show the opening between two inner thigh-covering pieces;

FIGURE 6 is a view of the three pieces of the modified crotch construction shown in FIGURE 5.

FIGURES 1 and 2 show a panty girdle 10 comprised generally of torso-encircling front and rear portions 11 and 12, respectively, and leg-forming extensions 13 and 14 which are integral with the body portion of the girdle. In the embodiment shown, extensions 13 and 14 cover the front, side and rear portions of the upper thigh region of the legs. The panty girdle has a cutaway portion intermediate the leg extensions in the inner thigh and crotch areas which is defined by the border 15 in the front and 16 in the rear of the garment. In the particular girdle shown elastic fabric trim edges 17 and 18 are provided at the bottom of the leg extensions and encircle the entire leg.

The cutaway portion in the inner thigh and crotch areas of the garment is provided with an integral inner thighcovering and leg-completing panel 20, the shape of which is shown more clearly in FIGURE 4. This panel 20 has a continuous upper free edge 29 which when the panel is set into the garment defines a permanent crotch opening. An overlying-displaceable central crotch panel 21 is attached at its upper front and upper rear edges to the body of the garment along the borders and 16, respectively, of the cutaway crotch area. The panel 21 is thus suspended loop-like from the body of the garment with free longitudinal side edges 22 and 23 in overlying and unconnected relation to the upper free edge 29 of panel which defines the crotch opening.

Referring particularly to FIGURES 3 and 4, the cooperating structure of the two pieces making up the crotch of the invention is shown. Panel 20 forming the inner thigh-covering portion and also providing the permanent crotch opening is secured in the cutaway crotch area of the garment as follows:

Rear sides 25 and 26 of panel 20 are attached along the border 16 of the cutaway crotch area in the rear of the garment. The ends 27 and 28 of the continuous upper free edge 29 of panel 20 are spaced apart in the central or apex portion of'the border 16 in the rear. Front side 30 of panel 20 is secured along its entire length to front boundary 15 of the crotch cut-out area of the body of the garment. The ends 31 and 32 of panel 20 are secured in turn to the elastic trim edge strips 18 and 17, respectively. Where elastic fabric trim edges are not provided, the ends 31 and 32 of panel 20 may be finished by hemming, trim stitching, or any other appropriate way to form a straightedged bottom for the legs of the girdle.

The construction just described provides the panty girdle with a single integral panel which covers both of the inner thigh areas and which has a continuous upper free edge 29 defining the crotch opening. This free edge extends continuously from one end 27 attached at the rear boundary 16 to the right of the vertical center downwardly then arches across the front and returns upwardly to end 28 attached at the rear boundary 16 to the left of the vertical center. As shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, this construction'provides a front yoke 33 which makes panel 20 integral rather than two separate pieces as in the embodiment of FIGURE 5.

Thus, panel 20 provides a permanent crotch opening which advantageously extends to the rear boundary 16 of the cut-out crotch portion of the girdle. No overlap or even convergence of the edges defining the opening is required so that the crotch has a larger more unrestricted opening. The front yoke 33 also provides an advantage. It effectively shortens the length of the suspended or depending free edge of panel 20, as compared to the embodiment shown in FIGURE 5 where the free edges of the inner thigh covering panels are discontinuous and must extend throughout the entire distance from the upper front to the upper rear of the cutaway crotch area. Shortening the span of the suspended free edge of the permanent crotch opening permits the edges to better resist sagging or deflectionwith resultant protrusion of the flesh downwardly over the edges of the opening. It provides a better flesh trimming or restricting action by a stronger reaction or tension created along the shorter continuous free edge of the crotch opening.

Central overlying crotch panel 21 is attached at its narrow end 35 at the extreme upper front or top of the cutaway crotch portion. The wider end 36 of panel 21 is secured to the extreme upper rear portion of the boundary 16 of the cutaway crotch portion. The panel 21 may be made of stretchable or extensible material and as shown in FIGURE 4 is provided of material with twoway stretch. However, due to the construction of the crotch of the invention, it is not necessary that the overlying central crotch panel 21 be of elasticized material. The panel 21 is of such width between its free side edges 22 and 23 that it adequately overlaps the free edges of the permanent crotch opening in panel 20. The portions of panel 20 adjacent the free edges more or less automatical- 1y telescope or nest into the approximate oval shapedopenings formed by the free side edges 22 and 23 0f crotch panel 21 when the garment is properly positioned on the body of the wearer.

For performing natural functions without disturbing the garment on the body, it is only necessary to pull the crotch panel downwardly and to either side with one hand so that the permanent crotch opening is exposed all the way to the rear edge 16 of the garment.

FIGURE 5 shows a modified construction in which the inner thigh covering portions are comprised of two panels 40 and 41, the permanent crotch opening being formed as shown between the free upper edges 42 and 43, respectively, of panels 40 and 41. The ends 44 and 45 of free edges 42 and 43, respectively, are spaced apart and secured to the upper rear edge 16 of the cutaway crotch portion. The ends 46 and 47 of the free edges 42 and 43, respectively, are in turn secured in spaced relation to each other in the central part of the upper front border 15 of the cutaway crotch portion. The rear side edges 48 and 49 of panels 40 and 41, respectively, are secured along the entire length to the rear border 16 of crotch cutaway portion. In the same manner the front side edges 50 and 51 of panels 40 and 41, respectively, are secured along their entire length to the front edge 15 of the cutaway crotch portion of the garment. The bottom ends 52 and 53 are secured to the elastic trim strips 17 and 18, respectively, at the bottom of the legs of the garment.

Central overlying crotch panel 55 is attached along its upper forward edge 56 to the apex of the front of the crotch cutaway portion along the border 15. It is also secured along its upper rear edge 57 to the apex portion of the border 16 of the crotch cutaway portion. In this manner the overlapping crotch piece 55 is suspended from the garment with its free side edges 59 and 60 overlapping the free edges 42 and 43 of the permanent crotch opening so as to fully cover the opening. As in the embodiment shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, the portions of panels 40 and 41 adjacent the free upper edges 42 and 43 are adapted to telescope or nest within the oval shaped openings formed by the free side edges of suspended center crotch panel 55 when the garment is in normal position upon the body of the wearer. A mere downward and sidewise pull with one hand on the center crotch panel 55 fully exposes the permanent crotch opening for performance of natural functions in a convenient manner without disturbing the position of the garment on the body.

For a more comfortable fit and smoother appearance in the crotch of the invention, it is preferable to make the free edges of the panels of elastic material, particularly those of the overlying central crotch panel.

Elasticized edges assist in maintaining the crotch closed with the garment in normal Wear position during body movement. This is particularly advantageous when the crotch piece itself is made of a soft flexible material such as nylon tricot or other soft knit or woven goods. Of course, elasticized edging is not required or recommended where, as is preferred, the crotch piece itself is made of elastic material, such as elastic core fabric with a soft yarn wrap or covering.

Although the specific embodiments shown indicate that the inner thigh covering portion and the upper crotch portion of the underlying crotch panel are integral, it is contemplated that elastic fabric gussets may constitute the inner thigh contacting area of the legs of the garment. In

such case, a shortened upper panel of softer material may form the inner crotch panel having upper free edges defining the permanent crotch opening.

The crotch of the invention is suitable in any garment where a normally closed openable crotch is desired. The garment may be of deposited rubber, molded rubber, or other elastomeric material, or the garment may be of the cloth type having elastic fabric portions to exert a bodyconfining and flesh-restricting function. In addition, the garment may be any combination of such materials with panel portions of non-stretchable cloth, either knitted orwoven, and in the case of rubber garments various types of cloth or fibrous linings may be used.

Although the crotch construction of the invention performs admirably and is preferred without fasteners, it is to be understood that fastening means may be used to secure the overlapping free edges of the permanent crotch opening and the overlying crotch panel. However, it is a distinct advantage of the invention that no fasteners are required.

Various other modifications and refinements may be made to the crotch construction without departing from the invention, the scope of which is not limited by the foregoing details of construction but is to be construed by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A foundation garment having leg-encircling extensions depending from the body of the garment and an intermediate cutaway crotch area, said leg-encircling extensions including inner thigh-covering portions, said thigh-covering portions having continuous upper free edges spaced apart to define the edges of a permanent crotch opening extending generally from the front to the rear of said crotch area, and a displaceable crotch panel having free side edges, said crotch panel being attached at its upper front and rear edges to the upper front and rear portions of the cutaway crotch area and being displaceable to either side to expose said crotch opening.

2. A foundation garment having leg-encircling extensions depending from the body of the garment and an intermediate cutaway crotch area, said leg-encircling extensions including inner thigh-covering portions, said inner thigh-covering portions terminating in free edges spaced apart to define a permanent crotch opening extending generally from the front to the rear of the crotch area, and a displaceable crotch panel, said crotch panel being suspended at its upper front and upper rear edges from lines of attachment at the upper front and upper rear of the cutaway crotch area, said crotch panel having free side edges disposed in overlapping relation to the free edges of the inner thigh-covering portions defining the crotch opening, said crotch panel being displaceable to either side to expose said crotch opening.

3. A foundation garment having leg-encircling extensions depending from the body of the garment and an intermediate cutaway crotch area, said leg-encircling extensions including inner thigh-covering portions, said inner thigh-covering portions terminate in free edges spaced apart to define a permanent crotch opening extending generally from the front to the rear of the crotch area and the inner thigh-covering portions are made integral by means of a connecting front yoke, the free edges defining the permanent crotch opening are continuous between spaced ends attached to the upper rear of said cutaway crotch area, and a displaceable crotch panel having free side edges and being attached at its upper front and rear edges to the upper front and rear of the cutaway crotch area, said crotch panel extending from the front to the rear of the crotch area and displaceably covering the free edges defining the crotch opening.

4. A crotch construction according to claim 2 in which the free side edges of the crotch panel are elasticized.

5. A crotch construction according to claim 1 in which the crotch panel is of resilient stretchable material.

6. A crotch construction according to claim 1 in which the inner thigh-covering portions are separate pieces, the upper free edges of which are spaced apart along their lengths and at their ends attached to the upper front and rear of said cutaway crotch area.

7. A crotch construction according to claim 1 in which the free edges defining the permanent crotch opening and the free side edges of the displaceable crotch panel are resiliently stretchable.

'8. A crotch construction according to claim 1 in which the inner thigh covering portions are of soft flexible material and the crotch panel is elastic.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,367,328 1/1945 Bercaitz 128527 2,381,232 8/1945 Stone 128526 2,620,473 12/ 1952 Bayer 128--527 2,908,277 10/1959 Peck 128--525 2,969,068 1/1961 Murdock 128524 3,040,751 6/ 1962 Mastenbrook 128529 FOREIGN PATENTS 592,623 6/ 1960 Canada.

ADELE M. EAGER, Primary Examiner. 

1. A FOUNDATION GARMENT HAVING LEG-ENCIRCLING EXTENSIONS DEPENDING FROM THE BODY OF THE GARMENT AND AN INTERMEDIATE CUTAWAY CROTCH AREA, SAID LEG-ENCIRCLING EXTENSIONS INCLUDING INNER THIGH-COVERING PORTIONS, SAID THIGH-COVERING PORTIONS HAVING CONTINUOUS UPPER FREE EDGES SPACED APART TO DEFINE THE EDGES OF A PERMANENT CROTCH OPENING EXTENDING GENERALLY FROM THE FRONT TO THE REAR OF SAID CROTCH AREA, AND A DISPLACEABLE CROTCH PANEL HAVING FREE SIDE EDGES, SAID CROTCH PANEL BEING ATTACHED AT ITS UPPER FRONT AND REAR EDGES TO THE UPPER FRONT AND REAR PORTIONS OF THE CUTAWAY CROTCH AREA AND BEING DISPLACEABLE TO EITHER SIDE TO EXPOSE SAID CROTCH OPENING. 